New Laws in Effect Starting July 1st in DC, Maryland, and Virginia

New Laws

Starting July 1^st, several new laws were passed in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia and gone into effect.

DC

• Minimum wage increases from $13.25/hour to $14/hour which is a part of the Fair Shot Minimum Wage Amendment Act of 2016
• DOEE will issue fines ranging from $100-800 for organizations distributing plastic straws
• DC will start collecting taxes for the paid family leave program which is a part of the Universal Paid Leave Amendment Act of 2016.

Maryland

• University of Maryland Board of Regents are now required to be live-streamed following the recent events of the death of UMD football player, Jordan McNair
• Stricter background checks for Maryland Schools. Schools are now required to contact all of the applicant’s past employers.
• MTA is now required to offer free rides to permanent members of the Executive Branch of State government and college and university employees
• [Montgomery County] K-12 students can take the Ride On bus for free.
• [Montgomery County] Minimum wage for large employers will increase from $12.25/hour to $13/hour. Small and mid-size employers will increase from $12/hour to $12.50/hour.

Virginia

• VRE fares will increase by about 3%
• Schools can now start as early as two weeks before Labor Day
• [Arlington County] License tags no longer have to be displayed on front windshields
• Priests, Ministers, Rabbis, and other clergy members are now required to report suspected cases of child abuse and/or neglect to law enforcement
• Car seats now must be rear-facing for children two years and younger, or until the child meets the minimum weight limit for a forward-facing car seat.
• Virginia residents can longer have their driver licenses suspended for unpaid court fines and fees.
• You must now be 21-years- old to buy cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or any tobacco products
• Lottery winners whose haul is more than $10 million will now be able to keep their identities hidden

Source: NBC Washington